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LX266 vs LX188... or other?

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
In all honesty, the 4-wheel steering just sounds like one more thing to break.

Anyone with personal experience that can share their experience on whether the gains (tighter steering) are worth the potential added future maintenance costs?
 
#22 ·
455Olds said:
In all honesty, the 4-wheel steering just sounds like one more thing to break.

Anyone with personal experience that can share their experience on whether the gains (tighter steering) are worth the potential added future maintenance costs?
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I don't know if 4 wheel steering is prone to breaking down or not but if you don't need it then why bother with it. If you get the LX you'll be amazed at how tight it can turn.

I heard that 4 wheel steering takes some getting used to but so does anything new. My main question would be if the 4 wheel steering limits your options to use certain tires or chains when snow blowing. Someone with more knowledge of 4 wheel steering machines will have to weigh in.
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
I'm certainly not looking for 4 wheel steer... but one of the decent units I've found has it. Honestly, it worries me maintenance wise more than it appeals to me. ... but I really know nothing about it. .. so I'm curious what others think.
 
#24 ·
I would stay away from the X300/X304 since they have the infamous K46. The earlier model X304 had the K58 but its still a non serviceable transaxle. I would stay away from 4 wheel steer altogether.
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Any opinions/input on this one?

Haven't seen it in person yet, but it appears very clean... and with a new-ish bagger, it seems like a great deal at $1000. Will it adapt to blowing snow decently when I find a blower to fit it? And are blowers even out there that will fit it, or are they few and far between?

https://southbend.craigslist.org/grd/5005840669.html
 
#26 ·
455Olds said:
Any opinions/input on this one?

Haven't seen it in person yet, but it appears very clean... and with a new-ish bagger, it seems like a great deal at $1000. Will it adapt to blowing snow decently when I find a blower to fit it? And are blowers even out there that will fit it, or are they few and far between?

https://southbend.craigslist.org/grd/5005840669.html
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It's a fair price. He's not giving it away but it did cost four grand when new, it's very clean, sounds like it was maintained, and some pricy repairs were recently made by a dealer. That tractor is a joy to use. Quiet and almost no vibrations with the twin cylinders. The 38 inch deck is small but should be adequate for 1/2 acres. The 15 horses is plenty of power for that deck. I see both single and two stage snow lowers for sell all the time for the LX models in PA...might be different in your area. Decent blowers go for around $350 in my area. New old stock blowers can be found but they are a lot more.
 
#27 ·
That is the cleanest and most well maintained and documented LX178 I have ever seen. The seller even knew what he was talking about which is really rare on craigslist. I would snatch it up ASAP. You cant beat a liquid cooled Kawasaki powered John Deere.
 
Discussion starter · #28 ·
Any idea whether a 1984 JD Blower, part # M03250X would fit a 1992 LX178? Would I need a mounting bracket?

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If it wouldn’t fit that one, would it fit a 1996 LX277? That’s another mower that I’ve been looking at and am considering instead of the LX178 that I linked on craigslist a few posts back.
 
#29 ·
If I were you, the LX178 would be in my garage as we speak. For your 1/2 acre it is all you need. Don't base buying the 178 on whether the blower you're looking at will fit the 178 or it might be gone before you find out. It's May, and you have plenty of time to find a nice blower before winter. If it were near me, you would have lost it already...LOL!
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
gman2304 said:
If I were you, the LX178 would be in my garage as we speak. For your 1/2 acre it is all you need. Don't base buying the 178 on whether the blower you're looking at will fit the 178 or it might be gone before you find out. It's May, and you have plenty of time to find a nice blower before winter. If it were near me, you would have lost it already...LOL!
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That's my goal... unfortunately, the seller is not available until Saturday. I already offered to drive down the other day without success.
 
#31 ·
What about something like a good 214 or 300? Sure they are older, but they will be a tough machine. You can tow a decent wagon load. I've seen them on craigslist for 500 bucks. Fairly easy to work on and still can get parts.
 
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#32 ·
I agree with gman2304, I would get that LX178 as soon as you can and you will be able to find a blower before winter. Blowers and blades also pop up on craigslist a lot more when winter is closer.
 
#33 ·
Justy37 said:
What about something like a good 214 or 300? Sure they are older, but they will be a tough machine. You can tow a decent wagon load. I've seen them on craigslist for 500 bucks. Fairly easy to work on and still can get parts.
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Very true but the foot controlled hydro on that LX178 is hard to beat. I've owned geared tractors and hand controlled hydros and while I really like those older Deere's, for a main use tractor I'd want the foot controlled hydro.

Quote..."If it were near me, you would have lost it already...LOL!"

That's the risk with posting a really nice tractor or really good deal on this forum. I lost an 80 cart to another member by doing just that...lol.
 
#34 ·
The snow throwers come up routinely around here for 400 or so. The number on the serial tag should start with MO2462

You need to make sure all the parts come off the tractor to mount it.

There should be two mounting pins that bolt to the tractor frame under the footrest area, 2 adjustable lift links, two upstop bolts and 1 sway bar bracket. Also the lift rod and chute control.

There may be other blowers that work, but this model does for sure. I have one for my lx188 which is the same machine with a 17 hp engine.
 
#35 ·
Here's the blower but I had to take the smoking leaking LX178 with it :sidelaugh

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#39 ·
If I knew someone was interested in something, I wouldn't buy it 'out from under' them. If I lived in Mi, and knew the OP was interested in it, I would let the OP know and tell him if he doesn't buy it, then I would like to be first in line. Maybe I should have worded my post differently.
 
#40 ·
455Olds said:
Yeah.... thought that after posting the link. In hindsight, I suppose I should have just attached a picture or two....
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As that old saying goes... you wait... you lose!
Now just don't let that LX178 slip by you. That looks like a deal you cant beat! You might also want to go back and edit that post with it listed and just describe the tractor but not post the link... :fing32: I really hope you get it as that is a very nice well maintained high quality lawn tractor.
Liquid cooled Kawasaki motors and K6x series transaxles don't exist in lawn tractors anymore. Now the best they do is air cooled Kawasaki motors and K5x series transaxles in lawn tractors.
 
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mowergene
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